Listen to all of this issue’s Key Tracks
My Chemical Romance “Welcome to the Black Parade”
Quake before Queen-like stomp of this arena-rock epic.
[Listen]-[Review]
Tony Bennett “For Once in My Life”
Bennett did it (in 1967), then Stevie Wonder did it (in 1968), and now they do it together — decades later as the ultimate soul-saloon love celebrations.
[Listen]-[Review]
John Legend “Save Room”
It sure ain’t Akon: Legend croons hard like a young Nat “King” Cole over a groove that builds and builds.
[Listen]-[Review]
Nellie McKay “Long Lazy River”
A well-formed ballad that belongs on the hippest-ever episode of The Doris Day Show.”
[Listen]-[Review]
Lady Sovereign “Love Me or Hate Me”
Rapper delivers pipsqueak manifesto over a scalding beat: “Had a hamster, it died ’cause I ignored it.”
[Listen]-[Review]
Diddy “Hold Up”
Sean Combs gets sentimental about his rough past over highly effective kiddie-choir-tinged Wu-Tang-ish production.”
[Listen]-[Review]
Lindsey Buckingham “Down on Rodeo”
The Fleetwood Mac rhythm section adds some muscle to this modern slice of El Lay songcraft.”
[Listen]-[Review]
Listen to all of this issue’s Key Tracks
More: Listen to more choice cuts from the CD reviews section